Method for determining mobile service coverage of a remote destination

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination. A communication system receives a request for mobile service coverage for a remote destination from a mobile unit. The communication system determines if mobile service coverage is available for the mobile unit at the remote destination.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly to roaming within mobile communication systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wireless Service Providers provide service to subscribers. The serviceis typically provided in defined service areas. As much as WirelessService Providers try to provide as broad coverage as possible to theirsubscribers, no service provider provides service everywhere.

One way that Wireless Service Providers provide an effective increasedservice area to subscribers is by entering into arrangements with otherservice providers. These agreements allow users to utilize the equipmentand services of a wireless system that is not their home wireless systemwhen located within the service area served by the non-home serviceprovider. This arrangement, commonly referred to as “roaming,” allowssubscribers to use their mobile unit outside of the coverage area oftheir home system.

One problem for mobile subscribers is determining in advance whethermobile service will be provided when the mobile unit is roaming. Ifservice is not provided by the Wireless Service Provider at the remotedestination, the mobile user can make alternate arrangements prior to orwhile traveling. However, if the mobile user does not become aware ofthe lack of coverage until arriving at the remote location, the user maybe unable to make appropriate arrangements.

Therefore, a need exists for a method for allowing a mobile unit to knowif mobile service will be provided at a remote location prior to themobile unit being located in the remote location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for determining real-time mobileservice coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination, usually inresponse to a request received from the mobile unit. The presentinvention provides mobile subscribers with convenient access andaccurate coverage information, which is based on real-time celllocations and remote destination service coverage requests.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a mobile unit 107 requestscoverage information for a remote destination 117. The request can beaccomplished via soft-key, dial-in, calling a customer servicerepresentative of the wireless service provider, via a computer, or byany other suitable means.

After verifying that mobile unit 107 has subscribed to the remotedestination service coverage feature, communication system 100 promptsthe user of mobile unit 107 to enter remote destination information. Theremote destination can be an address of the remote destination or thestreet address of the destination, a town name, a zip code, anintersection, a landmark, a building name, an airport, or any otherindication of a geographical location.

Communication system 100 locates remote destination 117, preferablyutilizing mapping software. The mapping software preferably converts theentered information into GPS coordinates of remote destination 117.

Communication system 100 determines coverage information for remotedestination 117. This is preferably accomplished by determining if thereare networked cells in the area that can provide coverage at remotedestination 117. In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100makes the determination by comparing the GPS location of a base stationwith the GPS location of remote destination 117.

Communication system 100 provides coverage information to mobile unit107 by sending the coverage information to mobile unit 107. This can beaccomplished by utilizing SMS or via a screen display. The coverageinformation can be displayed on mobile unit 107 as a series of bars,wherein an increasing number of bars indicates increased wireless signalstrength within remote destination 117. The information provided tomobile unit can be text or graphical and can either be sent to mobileunit 107 or to another device indicated by a user of mobile unit 107.

Communication system 100 can also provide additional information torequesting mobile unit 107. For example, communication system 100 canprovide rate information to mobile unit 107. Additionally, communicationsystem 100 can provide information about the coverage provided at sitesadjacent to remote destination 117.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a communication system in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for determining mobile servicecoverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a communication system 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Communication system 100includes Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 101, Mobile SwitchingCenter (MSC) 103, another Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 113, basestation 105, base station 115, and requested destination 117. Mobileunit 107 is in communication with base station 105.

PSTN 101 is an international telephone network that provides telephonyservice to users connected to PSTN 101. PSTN 101 provides the abilityfor landline users to place and receive calls within communicationsystem 100.

MSC 103 connects PSTN 101 to the wireless communication system servicedby MSC 103. MSC 103 is preferably responsible for compiling callinformation for billing and handing off calls from one cell to another.In an exemplary embodiment, MSC 103 is a CDMA MSC. MSC 103 providescontrol for base stations, such as base station 105. It should beunderstood that in a typical wireless communication system, MSC 103would control a plurality of base stations, although FIG. 1 depicts onlyone base station for clarity.

Base station 105 is responsible for communicating over the air withmobile units that are located within a cell area covered by base station105. Base station 105 completes calls with PSTN 101 utilizing MSC 103.In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, base station 105 iscommunicating over the air with mobile unit 107. It should be understoodthat, although FIG. 1 only depicts one mobile unit 107, a typicalwireless base station services a plurality of wireless units at onetime. In an exemplary embodiment, base station 105 is a CDMA basestation and mobile unit 107 is a CDMA mobile unit.

FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart 200 of a method for determining mobileservice coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment, the communication systemprovides service coverage information to a mobile unit based upon arequest received from the mobile unit. This is preferably accomplishedvia an optional feature that a subscriber can subscribe to for a fee.

Mobile unit 107 requests (201) coverage for remote destination 117. Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment, a user of mobile unit 107initiates the determination of remote service coverage utilizing mobiledevice 107. This can be accomplished via soft-key or dial-in. In analternate exemplary embodiment, mobile unit 107 can request coverage bycalling a customer service representative of the wireless serviceprovider or via a computer, such as by sending an email or accessing awebsite. In a further exemplary embodiment, the user can requestcoverage utilizing a speech-to-text converter or can verbally convey theremote location to an operator who keys the remote location information.

After verifying that mobile unit 107 has subscribed to the remotedestination service coverage feature, communication system 100 promptsthe user of mobile unit 107 to enter remote destination information. Ina first exemplary embodiment, mobile unit 107 sends an address of theremote destination to communication system 100. The address can includethe street address of the destination, a town name, a zip code, anintersection, a landmark, a building name, an airport, or any otherindication of a geographical location.

Communication system 100 locates (203) remote destination 117. Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment, the communication systemutilizes mapping software to locate remote destination 117. The mappingsoftware preferably converts the entered information into GPScoordinates of remote destination 117.

Communication system 100 determines (205) coverage information forremote destination 117. In the scenario where mobile unit 107 may or maynot subscribe to the remote destination service coverage feature,communication system 100 preferably verifies whether mobile unit 107 hassubscribed to a remote destination service coverage feature. If mobileunit 107 has subscribed, communication system 100 determines if thereare networked cells in the area that can provide coverage at remotedestination 117. In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100makes the determination by comparing the GPS location of a base stationwith the GPS location of remote destination 117.

In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 determines if asystem provides cellular coverage for remote destination 117. In analternate exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 determines ifthere is mobile service coverage at remote destination 117 based on thecurrent state of the wireless equipment located at remote destination117. For example, the present invention can use the status of the remotecellular system. In this scenario, communication system 100 can alertmobile unit 107 to the current or future working status at remotedestination 117.

Communication system 100 provides (207) coverage information to mobileunit 107. In an exemplary embodiment, communication system 100 sends thecoverage information to mobile unit 107 utilizing SMS (short messageservice). In an alternate exemplary embodiment, communication system 100sends the coverage information to mobile unit 107 via screen display.The coverage information can be displayed on mobile unit 107 as a seriesof bars, wherein an increasing number of bars indicates increasedwireless signal strength within remote destination 117. The informationprovided to mobile unit can be text or graphical and can either be sentto mobile unit 107 or to another device indicated by a user of mobileunit 107.

Communication system 100 can also provide additional information torequesting mobile unit 107. For example, communication system 100 canprovide rate information to mobile unit 107. Additionally, communicationsystem 100 can provide information about the coverage provided at sitesadjacent to remote destination 117.

While this invention has been described in terms of certain examplesthereof, it is not intended that it be limited to the above description,but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.

1. A method for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unitfor a remote destination, the method comprising: receiving a request formobile service coverage for a remote destination from a mobile unit; anddetermining if mobile service coverage is available for the mobile unitat the remote destination.
 2. A method for determining mobile servicecoverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request for mobile servicecoverage for a remote destination from a mobile unit comprises receivinga soft key request from the mobile unit.
 3. A method for determiningmobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a request formobile service coverage for a remote destination from a mobile unitcomprises receiving a dial in request from the mobile unit.
 4. A methodfor determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remotedestination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of receiving arequest for mobile service coverage for a remote destination from amobile unit comprises receiving a request at a customer servicerepresentative.
 5. A method for determining mobile service coverage fora mobile unit for a remote destination in accordance with claim 1,wherein the step of receiving a request for mobile service coverage fora remote destination from a mobile unit comprises receiving a requestutilizing a speech-to-text converter from the mobile unit.
 6. A methodfor determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remotedestination in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step ofverifying that the mobile unit has subscribed to a remote destinationservice coverage feature prior to the step of determining.
 7. A methodfor determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remotedestination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the request includes anaddress of the remote destination.
 8. A method for determining mobileservice coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the request includes a town name of theremote destination.
 9. A method for determining mobile service coveragefor a mobile unit for a remote destination in accordance with claim 1,wherein the request includes a zip code of the remote destination.
 10. Amethod for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for aremote destination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the requestincludes an intersection of the remote destination.
 11. A method fordetermining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remotedestination in accordance with claim 1, wherein the request includes alandmark of the remote destination.
 12. A method for determining mobileservice coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the request includes a building name ofthe remote destination.
 13. A method for determining mobile servicecoverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the request includes an airport of the remotedestination.
 14. A method for determining mobile service coverage for amobile unit for a remote destination in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe step of determining if mobile service coverage is available for themobile unit at the remote destination comprises utilizing mappingsoftware to locate remote destination.
 15. A method for determiningmobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remote destination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the step of determining if mobileservice coverage is available for the mobile unit at the remotedestination comprises determining GPS coordinates of the remotedestination.
 16. A method for determining mobile service coverage for amobile unit for a remote destination in accordance with claim 15,wherein the step of determining if mobile service coverage is availablefor the mobile unit at the remote destination comprises comparing theGPS coordinates of the remote destination with GPS coordinates of a basestation.
 17. A method for determining mobile service coverage for amobile unit for a remote destination in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe step of determining if mobile service coverage is available for themobile unit at the remote destination comprises determining if wirelessequipment located at the remote destination is currently operational.18. A method for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unitfor a remote destination in accordance with claim 1, the method furthercomprising the step of sending an indication of the mobile servicecoverage to the mobile unit utilizing SMS (short message service).
 19. Amethod for determining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for aremote destination in accordance with claim 1, the method furthercomprising the step of sending an indication of the mobile servicecoverage to a device specified by the mobile unit.
 20. A method fordetermining mobile service coverage for a mobile unit for a remotedestination in accordance with claim 1, the method further comprisingthe step of sending an indication of the coverage provided by cellularsites that are adjacent to the remote destination.